"Move Over" Laws

We want to let everyone know as the Easter Holidays are approaching and many of you are planning to travel, that many states are enforcing “MOVE OVER “ laws. When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road these laws require motorists to slow down and move into an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so. More and more states are now enforcing these laws on interstate highways.

Please remember that besides slowing down you must move a lane away from the emergency vehicle. Failure to do so could earn you a ticket and higher car insurance. The good news is that as more people are aware of this law it will help protect our first responders who risk their lives protecting the public.

National Flood Insurance Reauthorized

On April 15, 2010, Congress approved legislation - and President Obama signed into law, reauthorization and extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). H.R. 4851. "The Continuing Extension Act of 2010" will carry the NFIP through May 31, 2010 and be retroactive from February 28, 2010.

The NFIP should now return to normal operations and, since the extension is also retroactive, any new policy applications or renewals signed and submitted during the hiatus will be effective from the date of application (or in the case of waiting periods, follow the NFIP waiting period rules).

National Flood Insurance Program Closed until at least April 12th!

BREAKING NEWS: Federal Flood Insurance Progam closed for weeks. As insurance, real estate agents and homeowners feared, Congress left Washington without extending the federal flood insurance program.

As a result, the federal flood insurance program's authority to write new policies ends on Sunday, March 28 at midnight. After that time,insurance agents will not be able to provide new or renewal flood insurance policies, which are required by lenders to close on some real estate sales. Please see the link below for more information:

http://www.vandykgroup.com/nj-insurance/national-flood-insurance-hiatus.asp

Can Your Business website lead to a lawsuit?

Every business today should have a website. It provides you with an opportunity to promote your products and services, communicate with current and potential customers and immediately establishes credibility. However, as with every mode of communication, there are liability risks. Here are some of the most common risks and steps to take to avoid them.

Defamation if the #1 risk for a website. This would include false or disparaging statements about people, businesses or their products. Your products or services may be better than your competitors, but unless you have indisputable proof of that, avoid posting these statements on your website.

Copyright infringement can get you in trouble. Did you find a great article or photo that you posted on your website? If you didn’t have permission to do so, you are at risk for a lawsuit. Before posting anything that you haven’t written yourself, make sure you get permission from the author or photographer.

Trademark infringement is another concern. Make sure you have written permission from suppliers, distributors, etc. to post their names, web addresses or logos on your site.

Be very careful about using personal, private information. You may want to feature testimonials from customers, but make sure you get their permission first. Also, be cautious about posting photos of other businesses or people’s homes without their knowledge or consent.

Questions or concerns about your insurance coverage? Call The Van Dyk Group today at (800) 436-1663. We are here to help you.

Make Sure Your Holiday gifts are Covered!

Did you know that if gifts are stolen from your car while shopping your automobile insurance policy does not cover it? That's correct, this type of loss would be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy, subject to your homeowners deductible and conditions.

Keep in mind if you receive expensive gifts such as jewelry this Christmas it can be endorsed to your homeowners or tenant insurance. You can also obtain a separate personal article floater where items can be covered at full value, with no deductible. The rate structure is based on the cost of the item per $100. An appraisal would be needed to state the value of the item.

The personal article floater can also be obtained to cover scheduled fine arts, guns, furs, cameras, musical instruments, silverware, postage stamps and coins and electronic equipment such as laptop computer and plasma televisions. This coverage is provided on an "open perils" basis that would include mysterious disappearance and breakage which are not perils covered under a homeowners policy.

How to Buy a Home in Today's Real Estate Market

If you are planning to buy a home, now or in the future, now is the time to get all the facts with this Free Seminar.

Wednesday, December 3rd - 7PM at the Van Dyk Group Barnegat Office

Topics Include:

• Selecting the Right Mortgage
• Understanding todays mortgage process
• How to find and buy a foreclosure
• Buying a short sale
• Know how to negotiate your price

Please RSVP by calling Van Dyk Group today - (609) 698-6900

NO OBLIGATION!!

Mortgage Money is Available!!

It has become very difficult to make heads or tails of these very trying economic times. Daily the “experts” give us their opinions on what the root causes of our present day dilemma is and what can and should be done to resolve the problem. The end cost to each of us has yet to be determined. The bottom line is most of us will remain employed and we still know that the single best investment we can make is in our home.

The emphasis is on HOME. This is not just a house and a write off for your taxes. While certainly these are terrific benefits there is a much bigger picture here. This is your HOME. The place you raise your children, where you retire to at the end of each day, where you seek comfort and safety, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, where you live your life. Examine your current situation, look at the home prices and mortgage rates and don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

We will be offering a FREE Home Buyer’s Seminar on Dec 3rd at our Barnegat office, but we are always willing and available to spend the time with you to help determine your purchase potential. If you are not ready to buy right now we will help you set a plan in motion according to your timetable. Don’t panic; don’t think that you will never be able to realize the great American Dream of home ownership. You can and you will. We look forward to working with you so please call today - (800) 217-0747.